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Mike Mullikin wrote: Ahhh... another reason how a life gets "flipped-turned upside down".
Quite so. Especially as gf 1.0 has being upgraded to fiancee 2.0 with wife 3.0 upgrade planned for next year. 
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Unfortunately, their policy is no remote work 
Well, it is possible, they rather not have it.
Mostly due to the nature of the sensitive data we work with.
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Sander Rossel wrote: Mostly due to the nature of the sensitive data we work with.
I can understand that, but I'm also amused when managers cite that as a reason, particularly where I work:
1) People rotate through "on call" here for problems that occur at night when the data is processed by archaic systems which often fail, resulting in 2 AM calls and folks having to connect from home to fix the problem. Similarly, at Citigroup, there was a "no work from home" policy in the dept I was in (I seem to have the luck of getting these managers) and yet those same folks were constantly required to connect from home over the weekend, every weekend, to push the latest releases.
2) And most ironically, it is so pathetically easy to walk out with the so called "sensitive data."
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And 3) All that data is exposed through web services to clients who are also not at our office 
I know
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I commuted about 26 miles each way for 12 1/2 years, but I mostly enjoyed the job.
When I had the chance to work in a single technology base with a commute of 32 miles each way, I took it. Longer commute? Yes. Reduced stress from work? YES!
So, what do I do with the commute? Use it for self reflection, quiet time, use ear buds to call friends and catch up on things we missed.
So, to each his own - determine if the commute/work/life balance is acceptable.
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Tim Carmichael wrote: Use it for self reflection, quiet time
I'm living on my own in a rural village.
Being at home is a lot more quiet en reflective than my commute (and shouldn't it be like that for everyone?) 
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Sander Rossel wrote: Is it worth it?
That'll fade fast.
Nothing drains the soul quite like sitting in traffic. Give it three months and you'll either have moved closer or changed jobs.
Having done the long commute I would not consider anything over an hour each way.
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Sander Rossel wrote: Is it worth it?
Definitely!
No it's not. That's ~10% of your life ... spent in traffic.
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Well, 10% of my life in the coming months anyway.
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For over 15 years I had long commutes.
I suggest to you, for the commute, audio books. 
I've literally listened to hundreds of books on my commutes.
There were times when I couldn't wait to get back in the car so I could listen again. 
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THIS, THIS, THIS
I've gone from tapes to CD to OverDrive.
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MarkTJohnson wrote: I've gone from tapes to CD to OverDrive.
That really makes me smile. 
I have taken the same tech journey with audio books.
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I have a 50-minute commute to work. Luckily there aren't that many traffic jams.
I agree on the audiobooks. Most I can check out for free from the library. It's enabled me to keep up with recent Sci Fi and fantasy, as well as checking off some of the classics I'd missed.
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I agree with raddevus's suggestion of the audio books.
Other suggestions:
- Get working on that personal jet-pack. Others have tried and failed but now you are motivated.
- Get a Google car that drives for you then you can get some extra zzz's in during the commute - I see this as the greatest reason for self driving cars. You may have to wait a little for this option.
- Check if there is a commuter train to take you in the last part to the office - park-and-ride systems are great commute busters (if they are available and are run properly).
- Ask your manager if you can work from home at least one day a week - or do what I currently do and arrange to work 4 long days, one of them on Sunday so the commute isn't so bad. You may have to wait until you have established yourself a little for this option.
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
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1. Do you have other opportunities in your area for a shorter commute?
2. Would you consider contracting or working from home (remote/telecommute)? I have been doing this for almost 3.5 years now, and I love it (i.e. no driving).
3. Would you consider moving to another country where the opportunities "may" be more abundant for your lifestyle terms and conditions?
Sander Rossel wrote: I now drive 1200 a week!
Including traffic jams that's three to four hours a day (or longer if I'm very unlucky)!
My personal life experience is that you will not make it more than 6 months with your current commute. It will eventually break you mentally, and it will take a toll on your personal finance budget - i.e. your car will break down more often.
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1. Probably some stuff slightly closer, I'd still have commute and traffic though.
2. I prefer coworkers at the office. If I'd work from home every day I'd become a hermit.
3. No, I already live in one of the best countries in the world
It's a company car, so no costs there. The car and fuel are being paid for
I consider this temporary job an investment in myself and the cost is time.
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The machine has you by the nuts. What value are you placing on your own time and sanity?
Peter Wasser
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
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At the moment I value learning and experience more than time, I guess.
Not for very long though, not THIS much time anyway
Looking for solutions
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You're young man. So for right now it doesn't seem like a big deal, but years and years of spending 4 hours on the road every day will rob you of everything good in life. People on their death beds always talk about their relationships (improving them, etc.) with the people in their life being the most important thing ever. You cannot and will not have a healthy life with healthy relationships if you spend that much time devoted to the day job and commuting. You may as well hand them over your soul right now.
In short... move or telecommute. It will take its toll man, it's only a matter of time.
Jeremy Falcon
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Get a cheap hotel in the week, do the job, prove yourself indispensable, then start working remote
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IIRC you are renting so suck it up and move your ass nearer the work you enjoy. You did like living where you are, you are not going to in the future it is nowhere as nice as when you could spend some time at home.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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You recall incorrectly, I bought my house and have a mortgage.
If I were to sell my house and start renting I'd be left with a lot of money on the bank.
Selling my house won't be a problem, buying my way back into the neighbourhood will, there's not much for sale there (especially my house since it's a bit bigger than other houses).
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Sander Rossel wrote: I bought my house and have a mortgage
That makes it much more difficult, what are the rent returns like? We rented our house out and moved to avoid a 2 hour commute and we had 2 kids in school.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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I'd probably make a good profit if I rented out my house, so that's a good thought.
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